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Every Lady Wanted the Duke — But He Chose the Chubby Girl Who Didn’t Even Notice Him

Every Lady Wanted the Duke — But He Chose the Chubby Girl Who Didn’t Even Notice Him

Chapter 9

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Mabel smiled slightly. "That is the kindest version."Lucien watched her. "They also say you are easily overlooked."Mabel nodded. "That is useful. People say important things near someone they have forgotten is in the room."Lucien looked at her.Mabel frowned at the ledger. "What?"Lucien shook his head. "Nothing."Mabel pointed at him. "Your face has gone sudden again."Lucien straightened. "I should leave you to the lemons."Mabel turned a page. "The lemons will be here in the morning."Lucien walked toward the door. "So will I."Mabel looked up. "That is unfortunate. I may need the key to the lower storeroom."Lucien paused at the door. "You have been my wife for six hours and are already raiding the storeroom?"Mabel kept her expression innocent. "You hired me to establish a stable household."Lucien turned back. "I hired you to convince trustees that I have one."Mabel pointed at the ledger. "Then you should be pleased. Stable households have clean accounts."Lucien left before she could ask about the missing sugar. At breakfast, he sent her the key. Mabel assumed he wanted the accounts corrected; Lucien knew he wanted to see what she would do next.The first trustee inspection was scheduled for the following Thursday. The trustees were Sir Osgood Pell, an elderly lawyer with a red nose; Lady Theodora Ashford, Lucien's cousin and fiercest critic; and Reverend Malachi Thorne, who believed marriage was improved by making people uncomfortable. They arrived with six trunks, two dogs, and a list of questions.The first question concerned the state of the marriage bed. Mabel nearly swallowed her tea; Lucien placed a hand over his mouth.Lady Theodora looked between them. "I asked whether the bed is shared."Lucien kept his voice even. "It is in the same room."Lady Theodora narrowed her eyes. "That is not what I asked."Lucien folded his hands. "The bed is large."Mabel set down her cup. "The room is larger."Reverend Thorne frowned. "A marriage requires intimacy."Mabel kept her expression calm. "It requires a license. Intimacy is a private matter."Lucien's first rule reminded him not to fall in love; it was becoming difficult to obey while Mabel defended his privacy better than he did.Sir Osgood turned to his notes. "We will inspect the household."Mabel nodded. "Excellent. I have questions for you."Sir Osgood blinked. "Questions?"Mabel folded her hands. "About the trust."Sir Osgood frowned. "That is not your concern."
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Every Lady Wanted the Duke — But He Chose the Chubby Girl Who Didn’t Even Notice Him

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